Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) is inviting members of the community to enjoy our annual Spring Sweep Auction, March 28 to April 1, opening with a Bids & Bites kickoff reception on Thursday, March 28 from 5 to 7 pm in the Big Gallery, 12 Straight Wharf. AAN is indebted to this year’s Spring Sweep Chairs Leslie Bresette and Barbara Clarke.
Now in its 20th year, Spring Sweep is an opportunity for AAN Artist Members to “sweep” their studios clean of old work by selling their pieces at discounted rates. This year, art begins at $50. The “Bids & Bites” opening reception on Thursday, March 28th will allow guests the first chance to view the in-person art auction and start bidding. As in past years with our auction, there will also be a buy-it-now component, where a potential bidder may purchase a piece outright and take it home with them then and there. This year’s Sweep will also include a ticketed raffle of lifestyle items. The in-person auction continues through Saturday, March 30, 10 am to 4 pm with final bids accepted until 4 pm.
“We are so pleased to once again host our Spring Sweep at the Big Gallery and want to thank our wonderful co-chairs and their committee who have worked so diligently to make this year’s Sweep an exciting early-spring event,” said AAN executive director Tracey Sears. “A fifty percent commission on each art purchase will go directly to the artist, so it is a wonderful opportunity for our artists to jump-start their season,” added Sears.
“In 1945 our organization got its start in the same location, then called the Kenneth Taylor Galleries, and we’ve once again planned a hearty series of exhibitions there throughout the coming year,” said AAN artistic director Robert Frazier.
“We are extremely grateful to the Nantucket Golf Club, who will be providing the light bites for the Bids & Bites kickoff party, and we will of course feature the event’s signature Peeper Punch, developed and sponsored by Cisco Brewers,” said Sears. “It is a true delight to be back on Straight Wharf as AAN celebrates its 79th year,” added Sears.
As an added plus for those interested buyers unable to attend in person, AAN is also offering an additional exhibition of separate art via 32auctions as the bidding platform. This separate auction, available exclusively online, will run in tandem with the in-person
Spring Sweep and will also feature a buy-it-now component—where pieces may be purchased outright—if for instance they found a favorite artist’s work or didn’t have time to go back online.
Selections in both the in-person auction and the online auction will include works in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, mixed media, ceramics, and photography.